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05/21/2012 - 9:41am

Today marks the beginning of National Small Business Week, a time to reflect on the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the American economy. Recognizing the vital role of small businesses in the United States, the Obama Administration has taken steps to ensure that American small businesses will be able to grow and create jobs for hardworking Americans. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is working to expand exports by U.S. small businesses and support American job creation and economic growth.

One of the most ambitious steps the Administration has taken to help small businesses succeed in the 21st century global economy is the National Export Initiative. Under this initiative, USTR is working more closely than ever with our partner agencies to provide American companies of all sizes with the export opportunities and the resources they need to succeed in the global market place.

Among the major achievements in opening global markets was the entry into force on March 15, 2012 of the historic United States-Korea Trade Agreement, giving American businesses, farmers, ranchers, and service providers unprecedented access to South Korea’s $1 trillion economy. The Agreement eliminates tariffs on 95 percent of industrial and consumer goods, making it substantially easier for small businesses to export their products to Korea and grow their companies. The Agreement also opens South Korea’s $580 billion services market, including areas where U.S. small businesses are particularly competitive, such as information and communications technology services. The Agreement also removes barriers especially difficult for small businesses, such as removing the requirement to establish an office in South Korea before conducting trade. To see testimonials from American small business on the benefits of the trade agreement, click here.

On May 15, 2012, just two months after the United States- Korea Trade Agreement entered into force, the U.S.-Colombia Trade Agreement did the same. Colombia is the third largest economy in Latin America, and this the new Agreement will make it easier and less expensive for U.S. small businesses to start or expand their exports into this important Latin American market.

Colombia is already a significant export market for U.S. small businesses. In 2010, almost 13,000 U.S. SMEs exported $4.0 billion in merchandise to Colombia, accounting for approximately one-third of U.S. merchandise exports to Colombia. Upon entry into force of this agreement, 80 percent of American consumer and industrial products will become duty-free. The elimination of tariffs will remove the tax on U.S. goods, which should increase demand for U.S. products and help increase export opportunities to Colombia.

The Colombia Trade Agreement calls for a greater amount of transparency regarding foreign laws and regulations, important, because many times, small businesses lack the resources to successfully navigate the web of foreign laws and regulations. This Agreement creates a more transparent process and removes a significant barrier for small businesses trying to export their products to Colombia.

The entry into force of United States-Korea and United States.-Colombia trade agreements are significant achievements in the Obama Administration’s effort to make American small businesses more competitive in the global economy, and create more quality jobs for Americans.

Work to implement the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement is also underway. Panama is one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America, expanding 10.6 percent in 2011, with annual growth forecast ranging between 5% and 8% through 2017. The U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement will support American jobs, expand markets, and enhance U.S. competitiveness by eliminating tariffs and other barriers to U.S. exports and expanding trade between our two countries – including trade by U.S. small businesses, who employ so many Americans and contribute so greatly to our economy today.

05/17/2012 - 4:14pm

On Monday, May 14, Ambassador Kirk joined Secretary Hilda Solis at the Department of Labor for a meeting of the Labor Advisory Committee on Trade Negotiations and Trade Policy. Members in attendance included R. Thomas Buffenbarger, Chair of the Labor Advisory Committee and International President of Machinists; Richard Trumka, President of the AFL-CIO; Clayola Brown, National President of the A. Philip Randolph Institute; Raymond Hair, President of the American Federation of Musicians; Gregory Junemann, International President of Professional and Technical Engineers; and Veda Shook, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.

Ambassador Kirk engages members of the Labor Advisory Committee
Ambassador Kirk engages members of the Labor Advisory Committee

Secretary Solis began the meeting by commenting on the U.S. Department of Labor’s continued commitment to worker protection and enforcement of U.S. labor laws. Ambassador Kirk focused on three key topics during the discussion; updating the committee members on the 12th Round of Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, the trade agreement with Colombia, and the President’s National Export Initiative (NEI). Ambassador Kirk and Secretary Solis also noted the Obama Administration’s ongoing work with the government of Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos to address labor concerns in Colombia.

Ambassador Kirk speaks with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka
Ambassador Kirk speaks with AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka

Referring to the NEI, Ambassador Kirk emphasized the creation of 1.2 million jobs and the goal to level the playing field so that U.S. businesses can compete internationally. The Ambassador also updated the members on the recent Strategic and Economic Dialogue meetings in China.

From Left to Right: Assistant USTR for Labor Lewis Karesh, Ambassador Kirk, and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis
From Left to Right: Assistant USTR for Labor Lewis Karesh, Ambassador Kirk, and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis

The Labor Advisory Committee is co-chaired by the U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretary of Labor. The committee advises and provides recommendations on issues and general policy matters concerning labor and trade negotiations, including operation of trade agreements.

05/17/2012 - 3:24pm

This morning Ambassador Kirk hosted the Advisory Committee on Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN) meeting at the White House. The Committee, chaired by Terry McGraw and vice chaired by John Surma, had a robust discussion on various topics including the entry into force of the Korea and Colombia trade agreements, the ongoing negotiations in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), repealing Jackson Vanik and moving toward permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia, and the National Export Initiative.

ACPTN Members were able to ask questions and provide feedback during the meeting.
ACPTN Members were able to ask questions and provide feedback during the meeting.

Ambassador Kirk began the meeting by highlighting the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC); which was created by executive order. The ITEC will provide additional resources for USTR and other agencies to ramp up enforcement efforts and ensure a level playing field for U.S. businesses at home and abroad. Additionally, he provided updates on the 12th round of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which officially concludes this week.

Ambassador Kirk hosts the ACTPN meeting at the White House. From left to right, Council of Economic Advisors Alan Krueger, Vice-Chair and U.S. Steel CEO John Surma, Ambassador Kirk, Chair and McGraw-Hill Companies CEO Harold McGraw, White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew, Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor for International Affairs Michael Froman
Ambassador Kirk hosts the ACTPN meeting at the White House. From left to right, Council of Economic Advisors Alan Krueger, Vice-Chair and U.S. Steel CEO John Surma, Ambassador Kirk, Chair and McGraw-Hill Companies CEO Harold McGraw, White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew, Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor for International Affairs Michael Froman

The Ambassador was followed by remarks from the White House Chief of Staff Jack Lew, Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor for International Affairs Michael Froman, and chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors Alan Krueger. Mr. Lew thanked the ACTPN members for their leadership and stated the one of the members’ task is to focus on the economy of the future and the role of trade, which plays an integral part by discussing fair rules and market access. Mr. Lew also said that the “key is to have an environment where trade agreements are sustainable, as it is important to lay a foundation for trade policy.” With the G8 and G20 summits approaching, Mr. Froman emphasized that trade is always on the agenda and that it is “hard to overestimate the importance of the Trans-Pacific Partnership.” Mr. Krueger described the record level of exports, an increase in U.S. manufacturing jobs, and the opportunity to expand, especially with regards to improving international trade strategy.

ACTPN Member and CEO of Grocery Manufacturers Association Pam Bailey ask a question.  United Steelworkers Leo Gerard sits to her right and Business Software Alliance CEO Robert Holleyman sits to her left.
ACTPN Member and CEO of Grocery Manufacturers Association Pam Bailey ask a question. United Steelworkers Leo Gerard sits to her right and Business Software Alliance CEO Robert Holleyman sits to her left.

Chair McGraw continued the discussion raising the need to find new ways for growth, through collaboration.  The meeting then changed to an open forum, where members voiced their concerns on a wide variety of issues and asked questions. The Ambassador and Chair McGraw concluded the meeting, thanking everyone for their time and substantive contributions to the discussion.

ACTPN is a Presidential appointed and statutorily created Advisory Committee that provides advice tothe President and the Unites States Trade Representative. Today’s meeting included members that represent labor, agriculture, manufacturing, services, and non-governmental organizations.

05/15/2012 - 5:09pm

Washington, D.C. – Elected officials, as well as business and industry leaders, are applauding the entry into force of the U.S-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement today – which means that 80 percent of American exports of industrial and manufactured products to Colombia are now duty-free. President Obama and Colombian President Santos announced that the agreement would enter into force today during the Summit of the Americas in Cartagena, Colombia on April 15.

Since the agreement won Congressional approval last fall, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has worked diligently with the Colombian government to bring it into force quickly and correctly. The agreement will boost America’s exports to Colombia and help to support well-paying jobs for American workers.

Here’s what leaders are saying so far:

  • “This Agreement will provide American businesses, farmers, and ranchers with significantly improved access to the third largest economy in South America. It immediately eliminates or reduces tariffs on almost all U.S. industrial exports to Colombia, presenting new opportunities for U.S. exporters to enter or expand their presence in Colombia’s growing economy. In addition, it provides significant new access to Colombia’s $180 billion services market, supporting increased opportunities for U.S. service providers.” -- U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson

 

  • "For America's farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses, the timing could not be better. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its best periods in history thanks to the productivity and resourcefulness of American farmers and agribusinesses. Much of the record growth these past few years is related to President Obama's leadership on trade. Last year, the President insisted that we get this agreement with Colombia right—alongside pacts with South Korea and Panama—that led to strong bipartisan support in both houses of Congress. In 2010, the President committed to double U.S. exports in five years. Two years later, we are on pace to meet that goal.” -- U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

 

  • “Exporting goods to South America just got easier for America’s small businesses. Today, the U.S. – Colombia Trade Agreement goes into effect, opening yet another fast-growing market to goods made in America. This exciting agreement marks a significant development in the Obama Administration’s efforts to expand access to American goods in emerging markets around the world.” – SBA Administrator Karen Mills

 

  • “Colombia is dropping tariffs on our manufactured and agricultural goods, and that means the door is opening for American workers and businesses to grow. This a major economic win that levels the playing field for American workers and businesses. Colombia’s economy is growing quickly, and it’s a lucrative market for the world-class products made here in the U.S. This trade deal is worth a billion dollars in new U.S. exports and thousands of new jobs at home, and that’s just the kind of boost our economy needs.” -- Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT)

 

  • “Today’s entry into force is cause for celebration. I appreciate and applaud the significant effort by the administrations of both Presidents Obama and Santos to ensure prompt implementation of the agreement after Congress approved it in October. Now we can begin reaping the substantial benefits that the Colombia trade agreement unlocks. The U.S. International Trade Commission has estimated that the agreement will increase U.S. exports by $1.1 billion and increase U.S. GDP by $2.5 billion. That means substantial U.S. job creation, which we so greatly need in this difficult economy.” -- Representative Dave Camp (R-MI), Ways and Means Chairman

 

  • “Entry into force of this agreement is very good news for U.S. workers, farmers, manufacturers, and service exporters. We can now begin to recapture export market share that we lost in Colombia during the years that the trade agreement was not in force. Now that we are ‘back on the field’ in Colombia and Korea, I look forward to rapid implementation of the Panama trade agreement, as well.” -- Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX), Trade Subcommittee Chairman

 

  • “Today’s announcement is great news for American workers, manufacturers, farmers, and service providers. As it stood, average Colombian tariffs on U.S. exports ranged from 7.4 to 14.6 percent. This agreement levels the playing field for American workers, increasing our market access so American companies can compete fairly and grow jobs here at home. With the potential to increase U.S. exports by $1.1 billion and increase U.S. GDP by $2.5 billion, this agreement shows the world we are serious about pursuing a robust trade agenda. I applaud the bipartisan work done to ensure the passage of this agreement, and look forward to the swift implementation of the Panama trade agreement as well.” -- Representative Erik Paulsen (MN-03), Ways and Means Committee Member

 

  • “Colombia has been the world’s greatest turnaround story of the past decade. Given the Colombian economy’s rapid growth, this landmark agreement will open the door to exciting new business opportunities and job creation in the U.S. and Colombia. Rather than rest on our laurels, we must continue to push forward with a bold job-creating trade agenda. The Chamber’s trade priorities include congressional approval of permanent normal trade relations with Russia, new trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and proposed accords with the European Union and several other markets, as well as renewal of the president’s trade negotiating authority.” -- Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

 

  • “This is a very good day for wheat farmers. The tariff situation has basically forced our largest customer, historically, in South America to buy more wheat from Canada and Argentina. Now our customers in Colombia will not have to pay the tariff and we can compete equally on the basis of quality, supply and service. Implementing this FTA is particularly important to U.S. wheat farmers, who rely on exports to market about half of their crops each year. In marketing year 2010/2011, Colombia imported from Gulf and Pacific Northwest tributaries about 800,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat from five of six classes.” -- Randy Suess, a wheat farmer from Colfax, WA, and chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW)
05/14/2012 - 9:52am

Yesterday, lead negotiators from each of the nine Trans-Pacific Partnership countries sat down for a briefing and conversation with dozens of stakeholders interested in the progress, process, and substance of the 12th round of TPP talks happening outside Dallas, Texas this week. Some highlights:

Barbara Weisel, Assistant USTR for Southeast Asia and the Pacific and the lead negotiator for the U.S. opened the briefing with an apology to all the moms working at the TPP round on Mother's Day... and then provided an overview of Saturday's stakeholder presentation event. Weisel noted that initial feedback indicates the new format provided the opportunity for more in-depth, substantive exchanges between stakeholders and negotiators, and that feedback from presenters at the event will be factored into stakeholder presentation planning for the next round of TPP talks. Those, she said, will occur the first week in July at a U.S. location to be finalized soon.

Weisel said that good progress has been made thus far by a number of negotiating groups (see USTR's daily readouts at www.ustr.gov to see what negotiating groups are meeting on what days) and that one negotiating group, discussing small and medium-sized enterprises, has finished its talks and will not have to meet in upcoming rounds. She noted that the negotiators on every topic have tried to be as available as possible to stakeholders in crafting negotiating positions and that they will continue to seek to do so as they consider counterproposals and work to revised text. She also noted that the trade ministers of the TPP countries will meet in a few weeks in Kazan, Russia on the margins of the meeting of APEC ministers related to trade.

The floor was opened for questions and a robust exchange followed lasting well past the hour originally allotted for the conversation, which featured questions from stakeholders at the table and in audience chairs including leaders from the AFL-CIO, Citizens Trade Campaign, Coalition for a Prosperous America, the Emergency Committee for American Trade, Friends of the Earth, Grocery Manufacturers Association, Maine Citizens Trade Policy Commission, Public Citizen, and the Sierra Club – among others.

The first question, from Citizens Trade Campaign, was a request that text be made available to the public so that stakeholders could have more informed positions when speaking with negotiators. Weisel said that while the U.S. position is that constantly evolving TPP chapter texts cannot be released to the public, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has been and remains committed to discussing in-depth with a wide range of stakeholders the formation of U.S. positions, the substance of negotiations as they take place, and how issues should be handled by negotiators as talks continue.

Other topics for questions, which were answered variously by Weisel and chief negotiators from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam, included the status of discussions as to whether Japan, Mexico and Canada will join the TPP talks - Weisel noted that chief negotiators are briefing each other in Texas this week on the status of bilateral consultations with those countries - and what type of consultations the governments do with their environmental ministers on the issue of investor-state dispute settlement provisions. The chief negotiators also answered several questions on domestic procurement provisions and the balance being sought on intellectual property rights and Internet freedom in the TPP's intellectual property chapter. Because of particular interest and concerns surrounding provisions on investor-state dispute settlement and state-owned-enterprises, Weisel said that there will be further stakeholder briefings on those issues - in addition to a broad U.S.-only stakeholder briefing session - when U.S. negotiators return to Washington, DC following this round of negotiations.

05/12/2012 - 8:08pm

Dallas, TX – Today, stakeholders representing a range of interests and policy areas spoke directly with negotiators about the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP), currently in the twelfth round of negotiations at the Intercontinental Hotel. USTR organized a Direct Stakeholder Engagement Event on-site at the hotel where the TPP talks are underway, to provide a venue for non-governmental organizations, academia, business and industry groups to have substantive conversations with negotiators about their areas of concern.

An NGO stakeholder (right) engages a TPP negotiator

An NGO stakeholder (right) engages a TPP negotiator.

Several dozen organizations participated in the direct engagement event, representing stakeholders in labor, the environment, intellectual property, consumers, textiles and apparel, agriculture and other policy areas.

Among the participants were the AFL-CIO, American University Washington College of Law, the Business Software Alliance, the National Milk Producers Association, the National Oilseed Processors Association, Occupy Dallas, PhRMA, Public Citizen’s Global Access to Medicines, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The open format allowed negotiators representing the nine Trans-Pacific Partnership countries to discuss areas of concern directly with participants.

One NGO representative said "This format was a big improvement and a useful way to proceed".

Another said "We were glad that many negotiators in our issue area attended, as well as some chiefs (negotiators), and we hope that continues".

Negotiators also responded favorably to the opportunity to sit down and dialogue with stakeholders.

"The opportunity for negotiators to discuss issues one-on-one and in depth was extremely useful,” said USTR Chief Negotiator Barbara Weisel. “This direct engagement with stakeholders with different perspectives on the issues will result in a better agreement."

Stakeholders and negotiators discuss issues of concern.

Stakeholders and negotiators discuss issues of concern.

Stakeholder Event Participants at TPP Round 12

AdvaMed

AFL-CIO, ITUC, MTUC

Alphapharm Pty Limited

American Automotive Policy Council

American University

American University Washington College of Law

Association of American Publishers

Biotechnology Industry Organization

Business Software Alliance

Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids

Citizens Trade Campaign

Coalition for a Prosperous America

Coalition of Service Industries

Computer & Communications Industry Association

Copyright Alliance

Electronic Frontier Foundation

FedEx Express

Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America

Friends of the Earth

Generic Pharmaceutical Association

Global Intellectual Property Center

Grocery Manufacturers Association

Institute for Policy Innovation

International Dairy Foods Association

Internet New Zealand

Knowledge Ecology International

Maine Citizen Trade Policy Commission

MFJ International, LLC

Motion Picture Association of America

Mylan

National Council of Textile Organizations

National Foreign Trade Council

National Milk Producers/U.S. Dairy Export

Council

National Oilseed Processors Association

Occupy Dallas

Personal Care Products Council

PhRMA

Property Rights Alliance

Public Citizen, Global Access to Medicines

Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch

Public Knowledge

Rubber and Plastic Footwear Manufacturers Association

Semiconductor Industry Association

Sierra Club

Software & Information Industry Association

Third World Network

TPP Apparel Coalition

U.S. Business Coalition for the TPP

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association

(VITAS)

Wal-Mart Stores,Inc

05/12/2012 - 1:26pm

On Friday, Ambassador Kirk visited Brookhaven Community College in Farmers Branch, Texas to talk with students about keeping college affordable. More than 7.4 million students with federal student loans will see their interest rates double on July 1, unless Congress steps in to keep them low. For each year they are allowed to double, the average student with these loans will rack up an additional $1,000 in debt. Ambassador Kirk spoke about the need for Congressional action to prevent these interest rates from spiking. Following his remarks, he answered questions from students.

Ambassador Kirk at Brookhaven College

Ambassador Kirk at Brookhaven College

05/12/2012 - 1:03pm

By Christine Turner, Assistant USTR for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement

Friday at the 12th round of Trans-Pacific Partnership talks outside Dallas, Probir Mehta, Deputy Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Intellectual Property and Innovation, and I had a great opportunity to hear from and speak with U.S. and international stakeholders at a lunch session hosted by Public Knowledge discussing copyright enforcement. Speakers included Rashmi Rangnath of Public Knowledge, Jonathan Band of Library Copyright Alliance, Susan Chalmers at Internet New Zealand, Gwen Hinze of Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Jodie Griffin of Public Knowledge. Each gave presentations on issues including fair use, first sale doctrine, proportional response to infringement and the interests of users.

Panelists at the Copyright Enforcement session hosted by Public Knowledge

Panelists at the Copyright Enforcement session hosted by Public Knowledge

A key point the speakers highlighted was that enforcement mechanisms should be set up so as not to hamper due process or access to information. Many negotiators from various TPP countries were on hand to hear this message. The speakers also discussed the important challenges of balancing the interests of users of information with those of copyright holders -- especially given the dynamic and ever-changing nature of technology and how intellectual property is shared. The session highlighted the need for balanced legal systems to respect freedom of expression, creativity, AND innovation and provide remedies that properly protect intellectual property while also providing for access to information.

Many of the groups represented at the Public Knowledge lunch will continue engaging with TPP intellectual property negotiators and other stakeholders at the Direct Stakeholder Engagement Event on Saturday, May 12.

Rashmi Rangnath, Director of the Global Knowledge Iniatiative speaks with Christine Turner

Rashmi Rangnath, Public Knowledge Director of the Global Knowledge Iniatiative and Assistant USTR Christine Turner

05/11/2012 - 5:10pm

Yesterday, the Trade Advisory Committee on Africa (TACA) met with Ambassador Kirk to discuss trade policy and initiatives in Africa. This is the first TACA meeting of the year and was held in advance of the 2012 African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum hosted by the U.S. in mid-June.

The Ambassador began the meeting by noting progress on the passing and implementation of the three free trade agreements (FTAs) with Korea, Colombia, and Panama. In addition, Ambassador Kirk highlighted the development of the President Obama’s new Presidential Policy Directive for Africa, which will allow for broader Africa engagement. He also pointed to the possibility of using Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs) to accelerate growth between the U.S. and African countries, one of which is being negotiated with Mauritius.

As Ambassador Kirk also pointed out during the TACA meeting, renewing AGOA's Third Country Fabric Provision before its expiration on September 30, 2012 remains a top administration priority. TACA members also emphasized the importance of renewing the Third Country Fabrics provision, referencing its importance as a bipartisan issue that should not be allowed to lapse. Other members commented on the importance of issues such as agribusiness and infrastructure development as well.

The discussion also focused on the President’s National Export Initiative, suggesting that increasing trade with Africa could help meet the President’s goals to double exports by the end of 2014. To promote growth in Africa, the advisors suggested including additional government agencies, the private sector, and building relationships with more government officials in Africa.

Ambassador Kirk concluded the meeting with a positive outlook on Africa’s trade and growth potential: "Africa has enormous resources— and somewhere between petroleum and textiles is great opportunity to do much more."

Ambassador Kirk Participates in TACA Meeting

Ambassador Kirk Participates in TACA Meeting


TACA provides the U.S. Trade Representative with policy advice on issues involving trade and development in sub-Saharan Africa. AGOA is the cornerstone of America’s trade and investment policy with sub-Saharan Africa. AGOA’s performance and effectiveness are closely tied to its Third-Country Fabric (TCF) provision, which is set to expire in September 2012. Swift passage of legislation extending AGOA’s TCF provision is necessary to ensure AGOA’s continued success – and the stability, development, and economic growth of sub-Saharan African countries. Congress has extended the TCF provision twice with bipartisan support.


05/10/2012 - 3:39pm
TPP DallasU.S. trade negotiators and officials are busy welcoming to Texas many of the more than 300 stakeholders from non-governmental organizations, academia, business, and the public who have accepted the invitation to be on-site at the 12th Round of the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks. The following groups – as well as a number of members of the public who are here as concerned citizens – will be on hand here to engage directly with negotiators and help shape the substance of the talks. Many are choosing to participate in a special Saturday event to present directly to individual negotiators about their views on issues in TPP, and hear more about how the talks are going. More information about TPP, including a detailed summary of the outlines of the agreement announced by TPP Leaders last November, can be found at www.ustr.gov/tpp.


Stakeholders Participating in 12th Round TPP Talks